Understanding how bacteria defend against viruses using specific proteins
Official title: OLD family nuclease function across diverse anti-phage defense systems
Funded at Davidson College · NIH-11041414 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how some proteins in bacteria help them fight off viruses, which could lead to new ways to understand and use these defenses in medicine and technology.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Davidson College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davidson, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $400,790 |
| NIH project number | 1R15GM157664-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11041414 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, particularly those related to Burkholderia pseudomallei.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with viral infections that do not involve bacterial co-infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which certain proteins in bacteria help protect them from viruses known as bacteriophages. By studying two classes of proteins, the researchers aim to uncover how these proteins interact with DNA and contribute to the bacteria's defense systems. The approach involves biochemical techniques to analyze these interactions and the roles of associated proteins. This research could lead to a better understanding of bacterial resistance and potential applications in biotechnology and medicine.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of bacterial resistance mechanisms, potentially leading to new strategies for combating antibiotic-resistant infections.
How similar studies have gone: While the study of anti-phage defense systems is ongoing, the specific focus on OLD proteins represents a novel approach that has not been extensively tested in prior research.
Where this research is happening
-
Davidson College
Davidson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thurtle-Schmidt, Bryan H — Davidson College
- Study coordinator: Thurtle-Schmidt, Bryan H
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Fentanyl and Xylazine Interactions and Toxicity in Opioid Overdose Scenarios
A short, patient-friendly study to understand how fentanyl combined with xylazine affects heart and breathing and how well reversal medicines work.
-
Decoding the sulfation code to study how selective sugar patterns affect viral protein binding
Researchers at Davidson College are exploring precisely patterned sugar molecules to understand and potentially block how viruses stick to human cells.
-
Understanding how different flavors of waterpipe tobacco smoke affect lung cell health
This study looks at how different flavors of waterpipe tobacco and smoking habits affect lung health, helping people understand the risks of using flavored tobacco compared to regular cigarettes.
-
Creating new compounds to improve cancer treatment
This study is looking at new ways to use special compounds to help treat liver cancer more effectively while causing less harm to healthy cells, so patients can have better treatment options with fewer side effects.
-
Understanding how cells become different types like liver or skin cells
This study looks at how certain proteins help cells become different types, like liver or skin cells, using a tiny worm called C. elegans, and the findings could help us understand how changes in these proteins might lead to diseases in people.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.